Stories about Digital Activism from October, 2010
Americas: Virtual Memorial for 72 Victims of Migrant Mass-Killing
Over the last two months, renowned journalist Alma Guillermoprieto has led an online project in response to the mass killing of seventy-two migrants that took place in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas in August 2010. 72migrantes.com is a virtual memorial for the slayed migrants.
Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Community Speaks Out
Globewriter's Weblog says: “We have had this Ex-Gay minister here for a week and apparently the LGBT community has reached a boiling point…”; gspottt confirms that the community has had it with the “lying, ducking and hiding” when it comes to young people and their sexuality.
Haiti: Cholera Outbreak
Dying in Haiti says: “Port-au-Prince and its slums do not need a cholera epidemic. I can't hardly think of a worse nightmare. Haiti is beyond fragile at this point and the people are suffering more than I have ever seen.”
Brazil: citizen coverage of election runoff
As Brazil gears up for the second round of presidential elections, 48 Horas Democracia [pt] will again provide citizen-produced videos, news reports and bulletins of the event to offer non-mainstream coverage.
Bahamas: Set a Better Example
The last time Weblog Bahamas‘ Jerome Pinder checked, things were “pretty grim” in the Bahamas: “If the behavior of our Parliamentarians is any reflection on us as a people, then you don't have to wonder why social values are crumbling around us.”
Cuba: Standard of Living
“Nobody on the island may have a high standard of living if it is not authorized by the regime”: Iván García explains that he “aspire[s] to live better. But above all [he] consider[s] [him]self a free man. And that is where a person can be dangerous in Cuba.”
Guyana: Just Say “Hell, No”!
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, The Guyana Groove says: “It is time for every woman in Guyana to hold hands and in unison yell to the top of your voices at every single abusive man, ‘HELL, NO!'”
US: Stop Meddling with Palestinian Online Conversations
Jillian C York is concerned with the policy recommendations of a study released by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Palestinian social media.
“United Russia” Ideologist Calls to Forbid Official Blogs
Alexey Chadaev, a leading ideologist of “United Russia,” calls [RUS] to ban blogs and microblogs of senior Russian officials. Chadaev explains that blogging threatens the authority of the Russian political leadership since it has been always based on “three whales: miracle, secret and power,” in other words, exclusivity and distance from...
China: Mapping violent evictions for homebuyer awareness
The many forceful evictions in China and their tragic victims are widely reported upon and discussed online, but what can be said about housing that goes on the market after the rubble is cleared and the people buying it up?
China: The social and political implication of “Car Accident Gate”
ESWN translates a blog post explaining the social and political implications of the public rage instigated by the catchphrase: “My father is Li Gang” in the recent “Car Accident Gate”.
Brazil: activists, bloggers defend freedom of expression
In an act of solidarity [pt] in response to the censoring of Revista do Brasil magazine, a host of Brazilian activists, bloggers and other independent media joined yesterday in collectively criticising the country's mainstream media and lack of freedom of speech.
Russia: Blogger Navalny Tries to Prove That Fighting Regime is Fun
One of the most prominent Russian bloggers that use the Internet for fighting corruption in Russia, Alexey Navalny, gives interview to "RuNet Echo" He contemplates if the blogosphere can have a real political impact in Russia and share his further plans for using information technologies in the struggle against injustice.
Haiti: Upcoming Elections
“Fanmi Lavalas (FL) is widely seen as the Haiti’s largest and most popular political party”, yet it is being excluded from the upcoming elections. Wadner Pierre reposts an article he wrote, suggesting that “the uncertainty that plagues over these elections can comprise the legitimacy” of the elected representatives.
Bermuda: Ahoy There!
Elaborate plans are afoot for the development of “a pirate-themed waterpark”; New Onion asks: “Who has deep pockets and is that bad of a businessperson other than the Bermuda Government?”, while Vexed Bermoothes says: “There has not been a well thought out business plan…there should be limited development on this...
Trinidad & Tobago: On Homophobia
Outlish suggests that homophobia “prevents us from maturing as a society, and taking responsibility for our actions, or the lack thereof”, while gspott urges readers to resist “the war on love”, here, here and here.
Haiti: MINUSTAH
An experience during a recent protest against the UN peacekeeping mission prompts Mediahacker to say: “Makes you wonder how ordinary Haitians are treated, day in and day out, in places where there are no cameras.”
Russia: Online Activism Success Stories
While Internet analysts across the Atlantic are busy arguing whether technology brings about social and political change or not, bloggers in Russia add their humble contributions to the debate, probably unaware that the debate is taking place at all. Their victories are small and not numerous; their impact can easily be attributed to statistical error - but they certainly are out there.
Bahamas: It's Time
Nicolette Bethel thinks “it’s time to build our own declaration of democracy”.
Trinidad & Tobago: “Anansi Antics”
“Is not policyholders we bailing-out, is the richest, smartest characters in the country”: Afra Raymond is tired of the “Anansi antics” when it comes to the CLICO bailout and says he expects better from the country's “elected rulers”.
Puerto Rico: Student Blog Continues Coverage
The student blog Desde Adentro [ES], an alternative online paper created during the recent 60 day student strike at the University of Puerto Rico, is covering the mounting tensions between the students and the administration at the main campus.
